Well, many of the best black short stories have a strong narrative voice. It could be the voice of an older person passing down wisdom, or a young person trying to find their place. They also frequently incorporate elements of music and art. Since music and art are such important parts of black culture, they often play a role in the stories. Additionally, they are likely to show the diversity within the black community. There are different classes, genders, and personalities, and these stories do a good job of representing that complexity.
One characteristic is the exploration of the black experience. They often deal with themes like racism, discrimination, and the search for identity. For example, in many stories, the characters face challenges because of their skin color. Another is the strong sense of community. Black short stories usually show the support and connection within the black community. Also, they may have unique cultural elements, such as the use of African - American Vernacular English or references to black cultural traditions.
They probably have engaging plots. Since they are short stories, they need to grab the reader's attention quickly. So, there could be unexpected twists and turns, like in a mystery - themed story where the solution is not what you initially expect. In addition, the use of vivid language is common. With limited space, the authors need to create a vivid world. They might use unique descriptions of settings and characters to make them come alive in the reader's mind. This helps to make the short story memorable despite its brevity.
The short stories in 'best 2019 short stories' may also be known for their ability to evoke strong emotions in a limited number of words. They can make you feel joy, sadness, or surprise in just a few pages. Take a story about a child's first encounter with loss. It can be so poignant that it stays with you long after you've finished reading, even though it's a short piece.
The best short short stories usually have a tight plot. Take 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' for instance. The events are carefully crafted to build suspense and surprise. They also tend to have well - drawn characters despite their brevity. In 'Hills Like White Elephants', the two main characters' personalities and relationship are subtly revealed through their dialogue. Moreover, they can often make a big impact with just a few words, like 'The Lady, or the Tiger?' which leaves you pondering long after reading.
The 10 best short stories often have a unique narrative voice. In 'Hills Like White Elephants', Hemingway's sparse style gives the story a certain tension. They also tend to be very focused. 'The Necklace' focuses on the consequences of one woman's pride and it doesn't deviate from that central idea. Moreover, they can create a strong emotional impact in a short amount of time. 'The Yellow Wallpaper' manages to evoke feelings of claustrophobia and madness in a relatively brief story.
The 5 best short stories often have strong characters. For example, in 'The Gift of the Magi', the couple's selfless love makes them memorable. They also usually have a clear theme. In 'The Lottery', the theme of blind tradition is very prominent. And most of them have a unique plot structure, like 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' which has a twist at the end.
Well, the 15 best short stories tend to be very impactful despite their short length. They can convey deep emotions. Take 'The Yellow Wallpaper' for instance, it makes you feel the desperation and frustration of the main character. They also are good at creating a certain atmosphere. 'The Cask of Amontillado' creates a very spooky and tense atmosphere in the catacombs. And many of them have a twist or a surprise ending. 'The Lottery' has a shockingly unexpected ending that makes you reevaluate the whole story.
One characteristic is the unexpected twists. In a black comedy short story, things don't usually go as expected. There could be a sudden turn of events that is both shocking and comical. Also, the characters might have flaws or be in immoral situations, and the story plays on that. The humor comes from the contrast between the serious and the absurd. For instance, a character might be in a life - threatening situation but act in a completely idiotic way, which creates that black humor. It's like a mix of tragedy and comedy, where the tragic elements are presented in a way that makes you chuckle despite the darkness.
The use of rich and vivid language is common in black authors' short stories. They might incorporate African - American Vernacular English or other dialects to give an authentic feel to the stories. This not only makes the stories more engaging but also helps in portraying the unique voices of the characters. Also, these short stories often deal with social justice issues. Whether it's fighting against police brutality, unequal educational opportunities, or poverty, they are a means to raise awareness and call for change.
They tend to have strong moral or thematic elements. Since they are concise, they can quickly convey a message. Like in 'The Most Dangerous Game', it makes a statement about the value of life and the nature of hunters and prey. The black and white nature of good and evil is often explored in these stories.
One characteristic is the use of a dark or gloomy setting. For example, it might be set in a desolate forest or an abandoned building. This immediately sets a somber mood.